How long will Martina Hingis reign as No.1?

We checked in with Martina Hingis at the China Open this week, where she is into the doubles semifinals and relishing a return to world No.1.

Life is pretty good for Martina Hingis right now.

The 37-year-old is celebrating a return to world No.1 in doubles and has not lost a match since August.

Alongside Taiwanese partner Yung-Jan Chan, the duo are on a 16-match winning streak that has netted three titles, including the US Open. It was their first Grand Slam title as a team, and Hingis’ 13th Grand Slam in women’s doubles.

Hingis and Chan have won eight titles together this season and earned more than 2465 points than any other combination. They are the undisputed best team in the world right now.

Hingis’ form is just as impressive in mixed doubles, combining with Brit Jamie Murray to win Wimbledon and the US Open. It takes her Grand Slam haul across all disciplines to 25.

This is her 67th non-consecutive weeks as the world’s No.1-ranked doubles player. Remarkably spread across an almost 20-year period, beginning when she became the youngest player to reach the coveted spot as a 17-year-old in June 1998.

“Winning, that helps,” Hingis admitted when asked how she maintains her motivation.

“I don’t think I’d be hanging around if I was losing first or second rounds. When that happened in singles, it was time to stop for me. I’m not one who will just show up to pick up the prize money for a first or second round cheque.”

She also credits her brief retirements for helping her rediscover her passion for tour life.

“A couple of breaks definitely helped,” she said.

“Players that have a break come back even more hungry. I missed the game, I’ve always liked the tennis part, I just didn’t always enjoy the travel part week in, week out. Sometimes it’s just nice to be at home, but definitely the competition and the challenge brought me back.”

But as Hingis celebrates another stint as No.1, there’s a big question mark over how long she might reign.

When asked whether she would be playing on next season, Hingis was coy.

“That’s a good question,” she said with a laugh, before adding: “which I’m not going to answer right now.”

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